A new inter-regional club football competition planned to start this year has been postponed until 2023 due to the ongoing issues created by the weather.
The Coastal Club Shield was due to start in 2023, with junior and senior teams competing in inter-regional matches in addition to their regular local club fixtures each week.
Saturated fields due to the persistent rain are behind the decision to postpone the competition’s start until 2023. Local football organisers are prioritising fields for local club football.
The competition was to be played in a FIFA World Cup style tournament on a Sunday where teams in pools of four played three matches before the semi-finals and grand finals.
The tournament was enthusiastically received by clubs, with 35 teams entering the new competition. The start of the inaugural season was pushed back to late May and involved clubs from the north and mid-north coasts.
Organisers plan to expand the shield to the north and west in the years ahead.
Statements for and by media in:
- Coffs: Andrew Woodward, General Manager, North Coast Football
- Port: Bruce Potter, General Manager, Football Mid-North Coast
There’s a definite want for more football, at a higher level and against different teams. We had a good response from clubs wanting to play.
The weather this year isn’t on our side. We just don’t have the fields available to cater for regular weekend football and the new competition.
We’re prioritising regular weekend football and putting the new competition on the back burner until next year.
We’re excited about the new competition and can’t wait to start it in 2023.
Coastal Football Leagues 